Accident Overview
On December 2, 2016, about 1200 Alaska standard time, a Robinson R-22 Beta helicopter, registration N7085K, collided with remote snow-covered terrain while landing approximately 10 miles southwest of Unalaska, Alaska. The commercial pilot sustained no injury, the passenger sustained minor injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Bering Pacific Ranches Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Deteriorating visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Unalaska Airport at about 1100.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot's statement to the NTSB on December 7, the purpose of the flight was to transport a telecommunications technician to the Fort Glenn cattle ranch on Umnak Island. After departing from Unalaska Airport, while flying overwater past Makushin Bay near Cape Starichkof, the pilot observed a snow squall with near zero visibility and decided to return to Unalaska. On the return trip, while flying in a mountainous valley, a snow squall moved into the area. Due to deteriorating conditions, the pilot conducted a precautionary landing to remote snow-covered terrain to wait for improved conditions. After the snow squall passed, he departed for Unalaska. Several minutes later, he encountered a second snow squall and decided to conduct another precautionary landing. During the landing sequence, whiteout conditions were present from the main rotor system downwash from the previous snow squall, and the pilot was unable to recognize any topographical features. The main rotor blades impacted terrain, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. Both occupants egressed from the wreckage, activated a personal locator beacon, and were extracted by a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65D helicopter.
Aircraft and Personnel Information
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine. He held a helicopter instrument rating and instructor ratings for helicopter and instrument helicopter, with 70 hours of simulated instrument flight time and no actual instrument flight time reported. The helicopter had no onboard weather capability and was not instrument flight rules-equipped or certified. It had a standard skid configuration with no emergency flotation system installed.
Meteorological Conditions
The closest official weather observation station, at Unalaska Airport about 10 miles northeast of the accident site, reported at 1200: wind 220° true at 18 knots gusting 25 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; broken clouds at 1,600 feet; temperature 37°F; dew point 27°F; altimeter 30.19 inHg. The Naval Research Laboratory's Forecaster's Handbook for the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska (1993) describes that during winter, snow frequently covers the ground but depth rarely exceeds 1 foot, though drifting can cause depths over 6 feet in some depressions, and the snow is often wet and heavy.
Survival Aspects
The helicopter was not equipped with an emergency locator transmitter, nor was one required. The pilot and passenger were not wearing flight helmets. The helicopter had 3-point restraint systems for both seats.